Improving access to epilepsy care in Kenya
Official title: Bridging the Treatment Gap by Expanding Access to Care for People with Epilepsy in Kenya (BEACON)
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-10987220 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make it easier for people in Kenya with epilepsy to get the treatment they need by creating a system to help track patients and training local doctors, so more folks can start and stick with their seizure medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $504,521 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS134056-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987220 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with epilepsy living in western Kenya, particularly those who have limited access to healthcare services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already receiving adequate epilepsy care and treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance access to epilepsy treatment in Kenya, where many individuals face significant barriers to care. It focuses on developing a patient tracking system and training local healthcare providers to improve the initiation and adherence to antiseizure medications. By implementing a culturally appropriate and cost-effective intervention, the project seeks to ensure that more patients receive timely follow-up and better management of their condition. The approach is designed to address the unique challenges faced by people with epilepsy in low-resource settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with epilepsy in Kenya by ensuring they receive timely and effective treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that task-sharing interventions can effectively improve healthcare access and treatment adherence in similar low-resource settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Von Gaudecker, Jane — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Von Gaudecker, Jane
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Scaling Up Task-Shifted Epilepsy Care for Children in Africa
A study to help children with epilepsy in Africa get diagnosed and receive seizure care through trained community health workers.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
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Epilepsy Data Ecosystem: A Big-Data Sharing Platform for Better Care
A national effort to collect and share large, multi‑modal brain data from people with medication‑resistant epilepsy to speed discoveries and improve treatment options.
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Exploring epilepsy genes in zebrafish to understand human brain seizures
A study in zebrafish will model human epilepsy genes to help explain how certain brain mutations contribute to seizures.
-
New MRI tools to better plan pediatric epilepsy surgery
A new MRI-based approach helps doctors decide the best time to surgically remove brain tissue in children with difficult-to-control seizures.
-
Sahel Epilepsy Study: finding patterns in epilepsy in rural Africa and its links to genes
A plan to study epilepsy in rural Nigeria to discover how common it is, what factors affect risk, and how genetics may influence it, with results that could improve care for people with epilepsy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.